🔧 Traverse - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with the correct oil. Fresh oil protects the 3.6L engine from wear and helps it run cooler and cleaner.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1.5 hours

Assumption: your A4 uses a spin-on oil filter (common on this engine).

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and set the parking brake.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 15–30 minutes; hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Never go under the vehicle supported only by a jack—use jack stands or ramps.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; oil will drip sideways when the filter comes off.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts, wiring, and exhaust parts; wipe spills immediately.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• Funnel
• 15mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10–60 Nm range)
• Oil filter wrench (cap or band style)
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-30, dexos1 approved) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug gasket/crush washer (if equipped) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• 🌡️ Run the engine 2–3 minutes, then shut it off. This warms the oil so it drains better.
• 🧰 Set out the drain pan, shop towels, and funnel so you’re not scrambling mid-drip.
• 📟 Plan to reset the oil life monitor after the refill.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of your Traverse at the proper front jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the front support points and lower the vehicle onto them.
• Give the vehicle a small shake to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Remove the oil fill cap and prep the drain pan

• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap by hand. This helps the crankcase vent so oil drains faster.
• Position the drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Use a 15mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand, then pull it away quickly so it doesn’t fall into the drain pan.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5–10 minutes).
• Wipe the drain plug clean with shop towels. Replace the oil drain plug gasket/crush washer if your plug uses one.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (this prevents cross-threading).
• Use a torque wrench (10–60 Nm range) with a 15mm socket to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Hand-starting the plug prevents expensive pan damage.

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (the filter will spill oil when loosened).
• Use an oil filter wrench (cap or band style) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket comes off with the old filter. If it sticks to the engine, peel it off with a shop towel.
• Double-gasketed filters can leak badly.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Dip a gloved finger (use nitrile gloves) into new oil and lightly oil the new filter’s rubber gasket.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket contacts the base, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• Do not use the oil filter wrench to tighten unless the filter instructions specifically require it.

Step 7: Refill with new oil

• Lower the vehicle from the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in Engine oil (SAE 5W-30, dexos1 approved): start with about 5.5 quarts, then wait 1 minute.
• Check the dipstick, then top off to the “FULL” mark (typical total is about 6 quarts with filter).
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 8: Start engine and check for leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Wait 5 minutes, then re-check the dipstick and adjust oil level if needed.

Step 9: Reset the Oil Life Monitor

• Turn the ignition to ON (engine off).
• Use the steering wheel controls to navigate the Driver Information Center: Vehicle Info > Oil Life.
• Press and hold SET/CLR until it resets to 100%.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Re-check for leaks after your first short drive.
• 📏 Recheck the dipstick the next morning on level ground; top off if needed.
• ♻️ Pour used oil into a sealed container and take it (and the old filter) to an oil recycling drop-off.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$75 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$85 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.